The meaning we were made for

We have witnessed the transformation of faith into action, which has in turn challenged us to reflect on what it really means to live a meaningful life.”

Olivia and Allison Weckenborg

Recently, a good friend of ours posed a significant question: “What do you think it means to live a life of meaning?”

As sisters and digital marketing students at State Technical College of Missouri, we’ve been blessed with the opportunity to serve as communications interns at Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri for the summer.

From social media management and photography to designing graphics and flyers, every task has allowed us to gain valuable hands-on experience in communications.

But for us, the most meaningful part our internship has been participating in the mission of Catholic Charities — providing care and creating hope for vulnerable neighbors across our diocese with compassionate, dignified services.

Truly, at Catholic Charities, we have been given a deeper appreciation of the Church’s role in our community.

We have witnessed the transformation of faith into action, which has in turn challenged us to reflect on what it really means to live a meaningful life.

So, what does it mean?

Our culture offers countless answers.

We’re told to pursue happiness, chase success or build the perfect image.

But these answers lead to even more questions: What makes us happy?

What qualifies as success?

What must I do to earn the love and appreciation of others?

Thankfully, we have a loving God who doesn’t leave us to figure things out alone, scrambling for the answers to life’s biggest questions.

He’s revealed himself to us in an extraordinary way, showing us that we can discover a life of meaning simply by following in his footsteps.

When asked which commandment was the greatest, Jesus gave us the answer we’re all searching for: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” (Matthew 22:37-39).

Too often, we think of God’s commandments as restrictions rather than gifts.

Yet Scripture reveals that they are the path to authentic freedom and lasting joy.

Far from limiting us, the commandments given here show us how we were created to live.

In inviting us to love God and love our neighbor, Christ answers life’s biggest questions, revealing the very meaning for which we were made. 

At Catholic Charities, we see this lived out every day.

Loving our neighbor isn’t simply an idea — it takes shape in countless acts of mercy that meet people where they are, restore dignity and offer hope.

Our client-choice Food Pantry offers a dignified shopping experience for individuals and families struggling to stretch their food dollars.

Our Community Garden offers a place for our neighbors to grow fresh produce and connect with their community.

Our Predatory Loan Relief Program provides financial coaching and refinancing options for those caught in the cycle of payday or title loan debt.

And our Family Immigration Services team provides low-fee immigration legal services to reunite families and promote self-sufficiency for immigrants.

Each of these programs is designed to address a local need, bringing Christ’s light and love to our neighbors throughout central and northern Missouri. 

With all of this in mind, let us return to the question we started with: What does it mean to live a life of meaning?

Our faith reveals that the answer is simpler than we might think.

Jesus shows us, by word and example, that we find the most meaning in life when we make a sincere gift of self — to God and to those we encounter and walk with on life’s journey.

We are called to seek first God’s will and trust his goodness, live generously and make every moment count and keep the ultimate goal in mind — eternal happiness with God himself.

Contrary to what the world tells us, meaning is found not by focusing on making others love us, but by focusing on making sure others know they are loved. 

So, let us recognize the gifts God has entrusted to us — our time, talents, prayers and financial resources — and how they are meant to become instruments of love for others.

Join us at Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri and turn your faith into action for neighbors throughout our diocese.

Your generosity places nutritious food on pantry shelves, supports families seeking immigration legal services, offers a path out of predatory debt and sustains programs that restore dignity and create hope.

We invite you to make a sincere gift of yourself by supporting this mission.

Pray for our neighbors and clients.

Volunteer your time or make a financial contribution at cccnmo.diojeffcity.org.

Together, we can help ensure that our neighbors know they are seen, valued and loved — and, in doing so, discover more fully the meaning for which we were made.